Senate Republican conference chairman John Barrasso is urging President Biden’s Energy Department to sever its artificial intelligence research partnerships with Chinese state-linked individuals. Barrasso criticized Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm for engaging with individuals and entities tied to the Chinese Communist Party, stating that such collaborations could potentially benefit Beijing in the global AI competition. He emphasized the need for a vetting process to prevent individuals friendly to the CCP from gaining access to DOE-created AI foundation models.
Citing a report from the National Science Foundation, Barrasso highlighted concerns about the risks and lack of benefits associated with collaborations with Chinese research organizations. He referenced a recent case where a Chinese national was indicted for stealing confidential files related to Google’s artificial intelligence technology, illustrating the lengths China affiliates will go to in order to steal American innovation. FBI Director Christopher Wray warned of the economic and national security consequences of such thefts.
The Energy Department’s Office of Inspector General raised concerns in its budget request about the lack of oversight funding in high-risk areas, including intellectual property theft and the department’s expanding artificial intelligence program. Barrasso has been critical of taxpayer-funded collaborations with China on climate issues and has questioned the state of counterintelligence within DOE and its National Laboratories following various reports, including meetings reported only in Chinese media outlets.
Barrasso has expressed frustration with the Energy Department’s lack of response to his inquiries, including an unanswered letter from March 4 regarding meetings with Chinese individuals and organizations involved in climate issues. He also highlighted the abrupt reassignment of DOE’s Director of Intelligence and Counterintelligence and the department’s delay in providing adequate responses to congressional inquiries, calling it unacceptable. Barrasso is seeking clarification from Granholm on the department’s strategy to address the challenges posed by AI competition with China and other national security risks by April 8.
The Wyoming senator’s efforts to hold the Energy Department accountable for its collaborations with Chinese entities and potential security risks reflect growing concerns about intellectual property theft and foreign influence in US research and technology sectors. Barrasso’s demand for more stringent vetting processes and oversight measures underscores the need to safeguard American innovation and national security interests in the face of increasing competition and espionage threats. With ongoing tensions between the US and China on various fronts, including technology and trade, Barrasso’s actions serve as a reminder of the importance of vigilant monitoring and protection of critical assets.
